Which term refers to tracking user activities and resource access for audit purposes?

• A. Accounting
• B. Nist
• C. Generic Accounts
• D. Mandatory Vacations

Answer: (A)

Tracking user activities and resource access for audit purposes is called accounting. In security practice, it means recording what happened in the system: who performed an action, what resource was touched, when and where it occurred, and whether the action succeeded or failed. These records create an audit trail that helps establish accountability, detects unusual or unauthorized behavior, and supports compliance with policies and regulations.

This concept sits alongside authentication (confirming identity) and authorization (granting access rights) but focuses on the logging and recording of actions. The other options aren’t the term for this activity: an organization that publishes standards, a shared or generic account, and a control requiring vacations to spot fraud are different ideas altogether.